Post by Michael Gray on Jul 4, 2008 20:05:22 GMT
Reigning champions Castletown visited Dunnet for the first of a league double header split by United’s semi-final v Rovers on Monday night. The Back Park side have had some sticky results of late but with talent in their team it was obviously always going to be a tough nut to crack for United who are desperately trying to hold on to John O’Groats shirt tails. The home team opened up the better with some neat passing moves and they were making good inroads against the Castletown defence. The first opportunity of the game however fell to Gary Calder who spun 10 yards out to fire a drive that Gray recovered at the second time of asking. Referee gun then turned down a huge appeal for a penalty when Darren Mackay burst on to a Farquhar through ball and seemed to be impeded by Macgill as he prepared to shoot. It was a perfect night for football bar the midges and both teams were playing a decent standard and keeping the ball on the floor, Martin Murray on the left wing in particular was a constant menace for Gary Mackay and James Murray who had to be at their best to try and contain the winger. However the wide did combine to create space for the over lapping Manson who powered to the byeline before delivering a super cross but Sutherland on the stretch could only turn over the bar from 6 yards. Referee Gunn then again turned away another loud United appeal for a penalty when Farquhar slipped inside Munro and as he prepared to shoot the centre half brought him to the floor but yet again the referee saw no infringement. Mid-way through the half Grant Budge showed some amazing skill in the centre of the park to waltz away from 3 tackles and race in on goal but elected to shoot early when in fact he could have run in on goal and the ball flew over. Castletown were starting to get an upperhand in terms of possession and territory prompted by the industrious Alan Farquhar. Chris Sutherland had another opportunity when he managed to somehow wriggle past Grant Steven on the touchline and race in on goal but was denied by the feet of Gray at the expense of a corner. United although pushed back were countering with good pace and the eager running of Farquhar and Budge offering plenty for the Castletown rearguard to think off. In fact Farquhar nearly nicked one against the run of play when he latched on to a great Bell freekick but his effort was rather sclaffed and although it beat Sinclair Munro recovered to clear the ball off the line. The deadlock as finally broken five minutes before the break, Kenny burst out of defence with ball and attempted to set Lee Sutherland on his way but Munro covered well and set up a great counter when he fired the ball to Calder on the right wing the striker brilliantly beat Bell before feeding Sutherland who after a break of the ball finished with an angled drive across Gray in off the keepers right hand post.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Castletown
Whatever was said at halftime in the home dressing had a profound effect on the game, United roared back into the game immediately taking the game by the scruff off the neck ad dominating their opponents from across the bay. The first effort came from Willie Inrig who from fully 25 yards warmed the Sinclair’s gloves and the keeper conceded a corner under pressure from Farquhar. Granty Budge then set off on another one of his mazy runs cutting in from the right he was the nearest of margins away from equalising with a superb left foot shot. It was a case of third time lucky for United when United finally won a penalty 10 mins into the half it all came about when Lee Sutherland stretching released James Murray taking Martin Murray and Alan Farquhar out of the game the winger raced into the box and showed wonderfully quick feet to draw the lunge from Florence leaving referee Gunn no option, surprisingly the youngster picked up the ball himself and duly swept it into the net via the glove of Sinclair. United were well on top now and pounding the Castletown back line and within 5 mins were ahead. Budge won a corner down the right and he took it himself finding Farquhar soaring above the Castletown defence to power home a header from 6 yards and send the United fans into raptures. With over twenty minutes left in the game United disappointingly took their foot off the gas and allowed Castletown right back into the game with some wayward passing and option taking. Good wing play from Chris Sutherland who has definitely hampered after taking a ball in the throat saw him burst to the byeline before cutting the ball back for Gary Calder but the big striker couldn’t quite the ball out from underneath his feet in time and Kenny outmuscled him and ushered the ball away. At the other end another setpiece created havoc when Farquhar won the ball it set up something from the Who’s Pinball Wizard as it seemed everyone in the 6 yard box had an attempt at either clearing or shooting but it was left to Sinclair to avert the danger when he lashed the ball away from the danger area. As the game entered the final stages Castletown started to throw more bodies forward and dominate proceedings but were failing to get that crucial opportunity. At the other end substitute Jimmy Budge almost wriggled free in the box after being fed by Grant but sheer numbers saw the chance dissipate. The last action of the game came at the top end of Ham Park when Bell was adjudged to have blocked the ball with his hand 20 yards out. Gary Calder placed the ball and drove it goalwards it was blocked to the edge of the box where substitute Murray Mackay fired one back in that Gray scrambled onto the bar before recovering the rebound however referee Gunn had blown for offside.
Full time
Pentland United 2-1 Castletown
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (C) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (J Budge 80) 10. G Budge 11. J Murray
Sub not used
S Wilkie
D Manson
View from the goal
Great second half response probably a little unlucky to go in down at half time as we probably shaded the chances although they were ahead in possession and territory. We really got at them for first 20 of the second half showing great spirit putting them under great pressure and deservedly taking the lead. What happened next I don’t know but we stopped taking the right option going for difficult passes and not making angles as we had previously but possibly tiredness and the fact Castletown stepped up a gear was a factor it has been a tough spell and there is will assignments just as tough around the corner.
Half time
Pentland United 0-1 Castletown
Whatever was said at halftime in the home dressing had a profound effect on the game, United roared back into the game immediately taking the game by the scruff off the neck ad dominating their opponents from across the bay. The first effort came from Willie Inrig who from fully 25 yards warmed the Sinclair’s gloves and the keeper conceded a corner under pressure from Farquhar. Granty Budge then set off on another one of his mazy runs cutting in from the right he was the nearest of margins away from equalising with a superb left foot shot. It was a case of third time lucky for United when United finally won a penalty 10 mins into the half it all came about when Lee Sutherland stretching released James Murray taking Martin Murray and Alan Farquhar out of the game the winger raced into the box and showed wonderfully quick feet to draw the lunge from Florence leaving referee Gunn no option, surprisingly the youngster picked up the ball himself and duly swept it into the net via the glove of Sinclair. United were well on top now and pounding the Castletown back line and within 5 mins were ahead. Budge won a corner down the right and he took it himself finding Farquhar soaring above the Castletown defence to power home a header from 6 yards and send the United fans into raptures. With over twenty minutes left in the game United disappointingly took their foot off the gas and allowed Castletown right back into the game with some wayward passing and option taking. Good wing play from Chris Sutherland who has definitely hampered after taking a ball in the throat saw him burst to the byeline before cutting the ball back for Gary Calder but the big striker couldn’t quite the ball out from underneath his feet in time and Kenny outmuscled him and ushered the ball away. At the other end another setpiece created havoc when Farquhar won the ball it set up something from the Who’s Pinball Wizard as it seemed everyone in the 6 yard box had an attempt at either clearing or shooting but it was left to Sinclair to avert the danger when he lashed the ball away from the danger area. As the game entered the final stages Castletown started to throw more bodies forward and dominate proceedings but were failing to get that crucial opportunity. At the other end substitute Jimmy Budge almost wriggled free in the box after being fed by Grant but sheer numbers saw the chance dissipate. The last action of the game came at the top end of Ham Park when Bell was adjudged to have blocked the ball with his hand 20 yards out. Gary Calder placed the ball and drove it goalwards it was blocked to the edge of the box where substitute Murray Mackay fired one back in that Gray scrambled onto the bar before recovering the rebound however referee Gunn had blown for offside.
Full time
Pentland United 2-1 Castletown
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (C) 8. L Sutherland 9. T Farquhar (J Budge 80) 10. G Budge 11. J Murray
Sub not used
S Wilkie
D Manson
View from the goal
Great second half response probably a little unlucky to go in down at half time as we probably shaded the chances although they were ahead in possession and territory. We really got at them for first 20 of the second half showing great spirit putting them under great pressure and deservedly taking the lead. What happened next I don’t know but we stopped taking the right option going for difficult passes and not making angles as we had previously but possibly tiredness and the fact Castletown stepped up a gear was a factor it has been a tough spell and there is will assignments just as tough around the corner.